Agra gets new sports academy

Agra, May 2 (IANS) A new sports academy that boasts of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities has been launched here. And the focus of the academy, members say, will on improving the standard of hockey. The academy, an initiative of the city’s sports lovers, was inaugurated at the 160-year-old St Johns’ College Thursday evening.

Har Vijay Bahia, Agra’s successful formula car racer, told IANS that a new astro turf was being laid and regular practice sessions and interactions with India’s top hockey stars would be organised to attract talent for hockey, which is currently at a low ebb.

“We will through our collective efforts show what private initiative can do. The ‘Chak De’ spirit will be kept alive,” Bahia said, referring to the hit Shah Rukh-starrer “Chak De India”.

The sports academy has facilities not only for hockey, but cricket, table tennis and lawn tennis too.

“Soon we will have regular coaching in golf also,” Bahia added.

Said Rahul Paliwal, secretary of the Indian Olympic Association in Agra: “Old students and sports lovers were mobilised to come forward to support sporting activities in the city.”